Bombs Away: 20 Best Men’s Bomber Jackets

Bomber jackets are not new. Far from it. They first came into use during the First World War when pilots manned open cockpit planes in dogfights over the battlefield. Flying around high above the trenches was cold, windy work – so much so that airmen adopted a special type of jacket built to keep them warm even through inclement weather: the bomber.

Like so much of what the military develops, this style of jacket has become a nearly ubiquitous piece of outerwear. Walk down any city street in the fall and you’ll see at least a few guys wearing one. Name a menswear brand and they likely make their own version of the bomber jacket. The simple structure of the jacket makes it something almost like a canvas for designers – simple changes in the zipper, pockets, fabric or ribbed cuffs can go a long way. The same goes for wearers of the bomber. The jacket can be worn in a myriad of different ways – acting more as a complement than a defining piece. Whether you have one already or have been pining after your own for a while now – we have a list of the 20 best men’s bomber jackets for you to scroll through right here.

Uniqlo Men’s MA-1 Bomber

This bomber is on the affordable end of the spectrum but don’t mistake that for a lack of style. Made with a nylon shell, this bomber, which comes in four different colors, has a textured matte finish to it that helps it stand out when wearing with denim or a pair of chinos. The zipper features a faux leather pull tab and exposed teeth for a high contrast look, while the welt pockets along the sides blend right in. Another exposed zipper along the left arm of the jacket opens up to reveal an exterior cigarette pocket with pen holders. To top it all off – the jacket features a durable water repellent coating for wet weather wear.

Everlane Street Fleece Bomber

Everlane applies their transparent production model to one of the most classic styles out there: the zip-up bomber. Featuring a cotton outer and a polyester spandex interior lining, the jacket has a structured look to it that helps it stand out from the crowd. The zippers on the front of the jacket and along the side pockets come with a greyed-out treatment – making it look as if they disappear into the material of the coat. All things said both the style and combination of materials makes this jacket an ideal outer layer for either the spring or the fall.

Alpha Industries Men’s MA-1 Flight Jacket

Levi’s has their jeans, Nike has running shoes, and Alpha Industries has the MA-1 Flight Bomber Jacket. Their take on the classic bomber has helped grow them as a brand – and it is easy to see why. Instead of trying to provide some unique spin on the bomber, Alpha Industries stuck to the basics. A shell made of 100% nylon, a high visibility orange liner made from polyester, and the ribbed cuffs, neck, and waistband make for a form fitting but comfortable fit. The high contrast front zipper features a leather pull tab, while the snap flap pockets blend in with the rest of the body. And of course, the jackets signature “remove before flight” tab on the left arm zipper remains intact.

Penfield Okenfield Jacket

A simple, high quality take on the bomber from classic outdoor supplier Penfield. Established in Hudson, Massachusetts way back in 1975, the brand has always had one foot firmly planted in the New England outerwear aesthetic – something that is evident in their Okenfield Bomber Jacket. Made with a special Nylon Taslan that comes with a DWR coating – the jacket is built for beating back bad weather and making you look great while doing it. This particular jacket comes with a large front zip with matching olive pull cord and two zippered pockets. The cigarette pocket along the left arm features a welt over the zipper for an almost hidden look. All things said, this is a solid top layer for braving those temperamental Northeastern seasons.

Tavik Defender Bomber Jacket

Tavik thinks of the clothing not just as it relates to the city or to the wearer – but to the ocean. The southern Californian apparel brand’s take on the bomber jacket shows as much. Water resistant, wind resistant, and insulating, their Defender can easily beat back even the highest winds coming in from off the coast. Featuring a high-contrast black zipper, an interior quilted lining, and their signature media integration for your phone – it is a solid go-to pick for heading out for a dawn patrol session before the sun peaks its head up over the horizon.

Zanerobe Trail Bomber Jacket

Not all bombers need to be built for cold weather. This cotton nylon blend jacket from Zanerobe operates more as a lightweight layer for wearing out in the evening more than anything else. Boasting a zippered left breast pocket, and two welted zipper pockets along the front – it has a minimalist look to it only complemented further by the covered elastic cuffs and hem. For those who are looking for something that could operate as a windbreaker but has a bit more of a classic look and feel to it – this very well may be one of your best bets.

J.Crew MA-1 Shell Bomber Jacket

J.Crew’s MA-1 bomber jacket gives the classic military style jacket a preppy, minimalist New England spin. The jacket has a slimmer, semi-fitted cut to it, and features a blended nylon and cotton shell that helps set it apart from organic shirts or pants. The ribbed collar, cuffs, and waist are all made from a blend of cotton, nylon, and elastane for a close fit that will last. Hardware on the jacket consists of two snap button pockets along the front, a brassy leather pull tab zipper that contrasts with the navy fabric. And of course – the jacket also features the zippered pilot’s essentials pocket along the left arm.

Champion Reverse Weave Bomber

This bomber is quite possibly one of the more fun among the entire bunch. The combination of the gym-class looks with the classic military style jacket makes for something that is totally unique. The polyester jacket features a large Champion logo along the left breast and above the left striped rib knit cuff. Welt snap pockets along the side offer up unobtrusive storage, and the brass tone pull tab zipper stands out but doesn’t draw too much attention. For versatile wear, the jacket easily reverses revealing a lighter, silver-like look with contrasting black ribbed waist, neck, and cuffs along with black snap button closures.

PS by Paul Smith Knit Bomber

While most bomber jackets feature synthetic materials along the shell and lining (as most traditional jackets used by the military would) Paul Smith’s bomber jacket features a refreshing heavyweight French Terry fabric construction. This cotton material not only feels better to throw on before heading out for the evening – but it’ll keep you warm on those colder, early fall and late spring nights. The use of the fabric gives this jacket a minimalist look that is enhanced by the lack of pockets and a single metallic zipper that runs from the ribbed neck down to the waist.

Carhartt Work In Progress Loop Emblem Bomber

Carhartt’s streetwear label Carhartt WIP gives the bomber jacket their rough ‘n’ ready heavyweight treatment. The shell on this bomber is made from a 9-ounce cotton canvas that has a snap up front, patch pockets, ribbed cuffs, neck, and waist. For a bit of a unique take, the jacket also features an emblem along the left breast. For a different feel while wearing the interior of the jacket, it also features a nylon taffeta lining.

Saturdays NYC Goose Bomber

If you are looking for a bomber that you can throw on even in the depths of winter – this may be your go-to pick. This substantial bomber has a thick, luxurious wool exterior shell, and a high contrast black cotton lining for comfortable, organic wear. Saturdays Surf NYC also included a gray ribbed hem, cuffs, and collar for a close fit that blends right into the body of the jacket. Welt pockets along the outside of the jacket make for easy storage that doesn’t stand out, while two matching hidden pockets along the inside of the jacket make up for the missing pocket above the left arm. All things said this bomber is an ideal grab for those looking to wage war with cold weather.

Reigning Champ Stadium Shell Bomber

The Stadium Shell Bomber has just as much a ‘Varsity’ feel to it as it has a military one. The stealthy blacked out jacket has a snap up front, two welt pockets along the waist, and ribbed cuffs, waist, and neck. The nylon shell to the jacket gives it a shiny, old school high-school apparel look while the full black look – from hardware to the cuffs and trim – gets in touch with this jackets aggressive military style roots.

Coldsmoke MA-1 Bomber

To say that we are fans of this jacket from the small Los Angeles-based brand Coldsmoke is a bit of an understatement. Their version of the MA-1 manages to combine all of the things we love most about the original style while still managing to give it a more modern finish. The exterior of the jacket is made with a Japanese made water repellant flight cloth, while the interior has Polartec Alpha insulation for serious warmth. The ribbed trim is custom dyed and can flip up for extra coverage during those windier days. The cigarette pocket along the left arm is built with a water repellent zipper, while the main zipper down the front of the jacket has a graphite polish to it for a subtle but contrasting look to it. An all around great bomber.

Filson Ranger Oil Cloth Bomber

Filson is the king when it comes to classic men’s outerwear. Whether it be a field or journeyman jacket – they manage to put together something from organic materials that can function on par with the more modern pieces out there while still making you look great. Their Ranger Oil Cloth Bomber is a great example of this. Made with a tough 11-ounce oil finish Shelter Cloth and lined with an 8.5-ounce cotton chamois lining and featuring a 24 ounce Mackinaw Wool collar – it is more than capable of keeping you warm and dry through even the wildest winter weather. The front of the jacket boasts both a zipper and button closure, along with button-down flap pockets and hand warmer pockets.

Public School Shell Bomber

This lightweight version of the bomber from Public School is ideal for wearing as a top shell layer with a warmer mid-layer or as a shell for cooler summer nights. With a shell cut from polyester and an interior lining from nylon – it is an easy addition to just about any outfit you have in the rotation. The jacket features a unique snap button front with an outer front flap for extra coverage, while it boasts metallic exposed zippers along the side above the waist. Like most all other bombers, the waist, neck, and cuffs of this bomber boast a ribbed treatment while the cuff has a cinch-feature for a closer fitting feel.

Stone Island Shadow Project Nylon Bomber

This bomber from Stone Island is something else. Part of the brand’s Shadow Project line, the Lucid Nylon Bomber Jacket uses a special combination of polyamide and elastane for a unique looking shell that retains a wrinkled, textured look to it. The result is a jacket that both adheres to the basic structures of a bomber jacket – ribbed cuffs, neck, and waist along with a cigarette pocket – while also somehow looking like something else entirely. Don’t be fooled by the fashion forward approach. This jacket is incredibly breathable, lightweight, and both water and stain repellant. Not a bad combination of we don’t say so ourselves.

Belstaff Stonefield Shell Bomber

Water resistant, mesh lined, and packable; not a whole lot of jackets on this list can claim those qualities and also be as damn good looking. This bomber jacket from Belstaff combines functional design with good looks by including articulated shoulders and elbows, using a lining made entirely of a breathable mesh and using a water resistant shell. For styling, the waist, cuffs, and neck all employ the use of a ribbed material that gives the jacket a closer fitting feel. The two-way zipper at the front allows for a dynamic fit while providing a nice bit of contrast to the army green body on the jacket. To top it all off, Belstaff even includes a patch along the left shoulder.

Canada Goose Bromley Bomber

It should come as no surprise that a brand known for making extremely reliable cold weather gear would produce what is likely one of the warmest bombers we have here on this list. With a temperature rating ranging from -13 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit this jacket is built for taking on the most extreme weather. This is all thanks to a shell made from a heavy cotton polyester blend, a dyed sheep shearling collar sourced from Germany, and fill from both duck down and polyester. The front features an oversized two-way zipper, snap pockets, and hand warming pockets for stuffing your gloves when the wind whips up. When the winter winds wane a bit – the collar can also be detached for a lighter weather wear.

Moncler Loopback Cotton Jersey Bomber

One of the more unique picks on our list to be sure. A kind of down vest with sleeves styled after a bomber, this jacket is ideal for fighting off the fall or early spring chill in style. The vest is stuffed with a lightweight down that is protected by a weather-repellent shell and backed with a loopback cotton. The sleeves on the jacket are elastic rather than ribbed – but serve the same purpose of trapping heat and keeping you warm. For a dynamic fit no matter what you are doing, this sportier bomber includes a two-way zipper and zipped pockets along the front.

Rick Owens Cotton Blend Bomber

This jacket from Rick Owens is cut from a cotton blend, features a stylish metallic zipper down the front, and a cigarette pocket with a similarly contrasting zipper along the left arm. As most all do – this bomber features ribbed cuffs, waist, and collar for a form fitting style. For storing items or for keeping your hands warm, the jacket includes a pair of snap button welt pockets that blend right into the rest of the jacket. All things said a quality jacket that is ideal for the fan of high fashion designers.